How to Celebrate Mahashivratri at Home | Astrological significance of Mahashivratri

In the daily hustle and bustle of life, we forget our source of energy - that which is running us. Mahashivratri is a festival to remember and to take our awareness to the basis of our existence: Shiva.

But, why is Shivratri celebrated? There is more than one Mahashivaratri story surrounding this occasion. Here are a few:

One is that Lord Shiva married Parvati on this day. So, it is a celebration of this sacred union.

Another is that when the Gods and demons churned the ocean together to obtain ambrosia that lay in its depths, a pot of poison emerged. Lord Shiva consumed this poison, saving both the Gods and mankind. The poison lodged in the Lord’s throat, turning him blue. To honor the savior of the world, Shivratri is celebrated.

One more legend is that as Goddess Ganga descended from heaven in full force, Lord Shiva caught her in his matted locks, and released her onto Earth as several streams. This prevented destruction on Earth. As a tribute to Him, the Shivalinga is bathed on this auspicious night.

Also, it is believed that the formless God Sadashiv appeared in the form of a Lingodhbhav Moorthi at midnight. Hence, people stay awake all night, offering prayers to God.

These are some of the stories that can possibly answer why we celebrate Shivratri. But, what do we do during Shivratri?

WHAT TO DO ON MAHASHIVRATRI 2022, CELEBRATE AT HOME

Mahashivratri is the day to honor and celebrate Lord Shiva—honor life and celebrate existence. Most people spend the day of Mahashivratri in prayer, meditation, and celebration. Here is a list of what to do on Mahashivratri:

Observe Fasting

Meditate

Chant Om Namah Shivaya

Attend Mahashivratri Puja or Rudra Puja

Worship the Shiva-linga

(1) Observe fasting on the day of Mahashivratri

Fasting detoxifies the body and curtails the restlessness of the mind. A mind that is not restless slips into meditation easily. Therefore, fasting on Mahashivratri serves to detoxify the body and aid meditation. It is recommended to fast with fruits or foods that are easily digestible. Learn more about Mahashivratri fasting guidelines.

(2) Meditate on Mahashivratri

The position of the constellations on the night of Mahashivratri is considered very auspicious for meditation. So, it is advisable for people to keep awake and meditate on Shivaratri.

In ancient times, people used to say, 'If you cannot meditate every day, do so for at least one day in a year - on Shivratri day - keep awake and do meditation'.

Wake the Divinity that is deep within you

Divinity is within you, let it wake up!

(3) Chant Om Namah Shivaya

‘Om Namah Shivaya’ is the perfect mantra to chant on Mahashivratri, as it immediately elevates your energy.

‘Om’, in the mantra, refers to the sound of the universe. It means peace and love. The five letters, ‘Na’, ‘Ma’, ‘Shi’, ‘Va’, ‘Ya’ in ‘Namah Shivaya’ indicate the five elements - Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether.

Chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ harmonizes the five elements of the universe. When there is peace, love and harmony in all the five elements, then there is bliss and joy.

Along with Om Namah Shivay Chanting, you can chant - Shiv Tandav Stotram and Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam

(4) Attend Mahashivratri Puja or Rudra Puja

Rudra Puja or Mahashivratri Puja is a special ceremony performed to honor Lord Shiva. It involves singing special Vedic mantras accompanied by certain rituals. Rudra Puja brings positivity and purity to the environment and transforms negative emotions. Participating in the Puja and listening to the chants helps the mind slip into meditation effortlessly.

Meditate to the chants of the auspicious Mahashivratri Puja at The Art of Living International Center, Bengaluru.

(5) Worship the Shivalinga

The Shivalinga is a symbolic representation of the formless Shiva. Worshipping the Shivalinga includes offering ‘Bel Patra’ (leaves of the bel tree) to it. Offering ‘Bel Patra’ represents offering three aspects of your being - rajas (the aspect of you that is responsible for activity), tamas (the aspect of you that brings inertia), and sattva (the aspect of you that brings positivity, peace, and creativity). These three aspects affect your mind and actions. Surrendering the three to the Divine brings peace and freedom.

FAQ's about things to do during Mahashivratri 2022

What do we do on Shivratri?

Here is the list of what to do on Mahashivratri:

• Observe Fasting
• Meditate
• Chant Om Namah Shivaya
• Attend Mahashivratri Pooja or Rudra Pooja
• Worship the Shivlinga

What should we not do on Shivratri?

We should not sleep, eat a lot or eat cereals during the Mahashivratri day and night. Do not waste your time doing anything other than meditation, chants, prayer, worship the Shivlinga.

How do you celebrate Mahashivratri?

Celebrate Mahashivratri by:

• Observing Fast
• Meditating
• Chanting Om Namah Shivaya
• Attending Mahashivratri Pooja or Rudra Pooja
• Worshipping the Shivlinga

What can I eat on Mahashivratri fast?

Include the following in Mahashivratri fast:

• Fresh fruit and vegetable juices, milk, herbal tea, yogurt, or buttermilk.
• Tapioca, potatoes, pumpkin, yams, fruits such as bananas, papaya, and melons. Use rock salt to maintain taste.
• Check out some recipes in Fasting recipes for Mahashivratri
• The complete guide to Mahashivratri fasting - wisdom talk by Gurudev.
• Does and don'ts on Mahashivratri?

Do's on Mahashivratri

• Fast day and night
• Keep hydrated
• Meditate
• Chant Om Namah Shivaya
• Rudra pooja or Shivlinga pooja

Don'ts on Mahashivratri

• In case of any physical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, avoid fasting.
• Do not overeat or eat heavy food
• People with pitta body constituents should either avoid fast totally or fast with a proper intake of fresh juices, fruits, veggie soups, etc.
• Do not waste your time on entertainment
• Do not indulge in fights etc

Why should we stay awake on Mahashivratri?

On Mahashivratri day, in the northern hemisphere, there is a natural upsurge of energies within all the lifeforms. This energy can be used only by those lifeforms who have their spines straight. Being humans, we are fortunate to have such a vertical spine. Being awake and keeping the spine straight has immense spiritual and material significance. So we stay awake on Mahashivratri day - pray, chant, meditate and do puja.

Which Colour should wear on Shivratri?

Colors signify feelings. So wearing cool colors - green, white, blue denotes calmness and purity.

Can we wash Clothes on Shivaratri?

Washing your daily clothes on Mahashivratri is fine. But washing too many clothes on this day is not recommended. Meditate, chant, pray, and sing bhajans. All other activities are of less importance on this day. Do all that connects you effortlessly with a natural upsurge of energies on Mahashivratri.

What should not eat in Shivratri?

Do not eat cereal, heavily fried food, non-vegetarian food on Mahashivratri. Meditation happens effortlessly on a light stomach

Is Shivratri good for marriage?

Mahashivratri is beneficial for all lifeforms as a natural upsurge of energies happens this day. It is a perfect marriage between the material and the spiritual aspects. Married women fast for peace and bliss in their married life

Can we drink tea in Shivratri fast?

All caffeine and tannin beverages are impediments to meditation. So on Mahashivratri fast, it is suggested to avoid tea.

How do Shivratri Puja at home?

Dhyana or meditate while the Rudram is being recited by the pooja pandits.

Worship the Shivalinga. Offer 'bel Patra' (leaves of the bel tree) to the linga. Bel Patra represents rajas, tamas, and sattva aspects of your being. Surrendering these aspects of life brings peace and freedom.

Chant Om Namah Shivaya, Shiv Tandav Stotram, and Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam

When can we break Mahashivratri fast?

The Mahashivratri fast is usually broken after the last Prahar (3 hours of the day).

Can we drink water in Shivratri fast?

Drinking water is essential in a fast. So it holds for Shivratri fast too. Water aids in washing away all the toxins from the body when we fast. It keeps us hydrated or else pitta will increase in body to cause headache

How do you keep Shivratri fast?

• Wake up early, preferably during Brahma Muhurat (two hours before sunrise).
• Take a bath and wear clean clothes.
• Do Dhyana (meditation) followed by Sankalpa (take a pledge that you would observe the Vrat whole-heartedly and sincerely).
• Maintain celibacy and start the Vrat.
• Include the following in Mahashivratri fast:
• Fresh fruit and vegetable juices, milk, herbal tea, yogurt, or buttermilk
• Tapioca, potatoes, pumpkin, yams, fruits such as bananas, papaya, and melons
• Use rock salt to maintain the taste

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